Sometimes there are opportunities that should be missed
So the football season is getting closer and this time it appears it will happen without Brett Favre. Sorry Minnesota, but the grueling schedule and physical demands seem to be enough that the veteran quarterback will not be returning.
Somehow, it is for the best, and not. Sure seeing #4 playing for Minnesota this fall would have been both good and bad, but hopefully the decision is made and everyone can move on.
Many times there are situations where good people leave companies and things are a bit less than perfect for either side.
Note: I am not using the Favre example for that reason other than to say this kind of thing happens elsewhere everyday.
Look at your job, or the positions of your staff, and really think about the opportunities that have come along in the last year. Did you look at them as though they could be the next best thing? Or did you pass them off without a glance just because the timing wasn’t perfect?
All opportunities should be seized enough for review… at least think about the email for the new product line or the management position before shooting it down. Considering the state of the economy these days, all opportunity could be the next best thing potentially.
Do your staff members a favor, help them consider opportunities. This way they will know you support them, and can make a solid decision. There will be times when the best decision is not to change and times when the decision to change is the only one that fits.
Without a serious consideration, neither party will give the effort needed to make the best choice.
Remember the biggest reward for doing a good job as seen through the eyes of your boss is more work. The better you perform and achieve the goals set out for you, the more likely it is that you will be asked to take on more responsibility and then be expected to perform at a high level.
Perhaps the bigger workload labeled reward isnt a promotion or huge office, but it might be a negotiating point in the future and when that time comes, there may be a reason to pass on the opportunity, but without consideration, a good decision cannot be made.
I had to tie the Favre saga in here somewhere just because I was a bit shocked that he decided not to play (maybe the commissioner will pull his re-instatement and make retirement permanent) and it struck me as funny the number of situations the rest of us find ourselves in that are completely similar to this albeit on a much less media frenzied scale.
Opportunities that cause change come along all the time, make sure you as a manager encourage your staff (and yourself) to look at the opportunity before avoiding it. You never know where it may lead you. I hear there is an opening at quarterback in Minnesota…
